Constant Back Pain under Left Rib Cage

by Steven Beartoes

Constant back pain under left rib cage is a dilemma for all the patients suffering from it. As a matter of fact, Doctors are most likely to view any kind of constant pain very seriously and treat it as serious disorder or disease. Rib cage is structure formed by thoracic vertebrae and ribs, sternum-breastbone, and the costal cartilages-that attach the ribs to the sternum. Cage as a common term means a large enclosure of open work that houses animals. Rib cage is thus thought to resemble an animal cage and it houses or holds the largest animal heart and lung. Medically rib cage is also called as thoracic cage.

In the chest-thorax region, nerves spring out from the spine and divide into two parts. The first part goes to just under the skin and further sends fibers to the surface and also travels around half way around the chest. This is a probable reason for the feeling of pain in the back to the side of the chest. The second part travels to the bottom of the rib around the sternum bone, and also surfaces to the skin and then goes back towards the side on the same level as the first nerve. Rib cage pain can be any pain or discomfort in the area of the ribs.

Common causes could be - Cracked or fractured rib, Costochondritis (inflammation of cartilage near the breastbone, Osteoporosis, and Pleurisy. If you suffer from such problems of rib pain, it is advisable to get the area x-rayed so as to eliminate fractured ribs. In the event of fractured ribs an immediate surgery is warranted. If the pain is of longer duration more than 3 months it is also necessary to go for an MRI or CT Scan and consult health care professional to rule out the possibilities of any nerve damage, tumor or cancer.

Inflammation of the cartilage that is between the ribs and breastbone can cause pain around the back and down the arms. This pain is such that it might radiate a sensation as if you were having a heart attack or lung problems. Although the duration of this condition is short but very painful and uncomfortable during the period it lasts.

There are times when you might visit a specialist in gastroenterology because of the constant back pain under your left rib cage since the problem starts with your stomach. You often feel hungry and feel that a big growl wants to come out, no mater how much you eat it still does not become better, but instead gives you heart burn and pain on the left side underneath the cage. To eliminate any infection of the intestine or pancreas routine blood pathology should be conducted. Disorders of the digestive, gastro and bowel systems should be ruled out after seeking medical advice. These symptoms might make you wonder this it is due to twisted bowel, so a checkup of the colon should be scheduled.

Constant pain under the left rib cage is very uncomfortable for pregnant women especially those in advanced stages of pregnancy. They experience extreme pain near the area where the ribcage and breast meet. The pain causes extreme trauma and sometimes makes it difficult to sleep.

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